This week's portion begins with the Israelites leaving Egypt the long way. The reason that God gives for this is that the Israelites would go to war too soon and then want to return to Egypt in response. That challenge would be too much for them to bear. Interestingly enough, God seems to be wrong about this one. Throughout the portion, the Israelites complain about literally everything. At every turn, they complain about having been taken out of Egypt. They complain about being trapped between the sea and the Egyptians, they complain about the water being too bitter, they complain about not having food and then about not having the right food and then complain about not having water to drink. Throughout the story, they long to go back to Egypt. So when the Israelites go to war with the Amalekites at the end of the portion, of course this will be the final straw. They'll complain about this too and call to return to Egypt, right?
But, no! This is the only event in the entire portion (excluding actually getting through the split sea) that the Israelites do not complain about. They go to battle without a word and are inspired by their leader Moses who, until this point, was mostly the source of their laments. So it appears that the primary concern that God had regarding the Exodus was wrong. It was not war that led the Israelites to want to go back, it was the lack of daily services and basic needs. This might be why Maimonides suggested that the Israelites went the long way to get used to hardships so that they'd be ready for any future challenges.
I see an interesting comparison in our own world. One might think that challenges to life and limb would push people away and terrify them. People would say that it is too much for them to handle. But in reality, those times where Israel is truly in danger, 1967 for example, is when people went their in droves. Look at how America responded to the attacks of 9/11, uniting on for one of the few brief moments in recent history. Much like Amalek's attack, most of us did not complain about the circumstances or what might have been avoided. We banded together because we finally needed to.
In our story, as long as the Israelites know that God will be there to save them, they continue to complain and are negative. Only when they have the need/opportunity to stand up for themselves do they unite as a people and realize the blessings they have in their lives. Let's not have to wait that long ourselves. Let's realize the blessings we have in America and in Israel and not take them for granted. Rather than complaining, let's appreciate all that we have and do all we can for them and make this entire world a better place.
But, no! This is the only event in the entire portion (excluding actually getting through the split sea) that the Israelites do not complain about. They go to battle without a word and are inspired by their leader Moses who, until this point, was mostly the source of their laments. So it appears that the primary concern that God had regarding the Exodus was wrong. It was not war that led the Israelites to want to go back, it was the lack of daily services and basic needs. This might be why Maimonides suggested that the Israelites went the long way to get used to hardships so that they'd be ready for any future challenges.
I see an interesting comparison in our own world. One might think that challenges to life and limb would push people away and terrify them. People would say that it is too much for them to handle. But in reality, those times where Israel is truly in danger, 1967 for example, is when people went their in droves. Look at how America responded to the attacks of 9/11, uniting on for one of the few brief moments in recent history. Much like Amalek's attack, most of us did not complain about the circumstances or what might have been avoided. We banded together because we finally needed to.
In our story, as long as the Israelites know that God will be there to save them, they continue to complain and are negative. Only when they have the need/opportunity to stand up for themselves do they unite as a people and realize the blessings they have in their lives. Let's not have to wait that long ourselves. Let's realize the blessings we have in America and in Israel and not take them for granted. Rather than complaining, let's appreciate all that we have and do all we can for them and make this entire world a better place.
